Resurrection: revive your life today
Spring is here! The first crocuses and daffodils are raising their plumes above the snow, tiny buds gather themselves to burst into life-gathering leaves, and people are beginning to go out without their coats – at least during the day.
Today, Christians celebrate Jesus’ rise from the dead – an event that allows them to someday return to life from death. Most world mythologies have similar stories of death, rebirth and renewal. Persephone’s annual return from the underworld heralds the coming of spring and fertility. Oestre, goddess of dawn (where Easter gets the name), also brings with her the fertility of spring. The fabled Phoenix consumes itself with fire and rises again from the ashes.
Such stories hold a promise of renewal that can happen right now! Why not take a look at your life and see what might need some new life? Here are a few ideas to get you started:
- Revive a dream or a passion: Life, the judgments of others,and self sabotage are just a few things that get in the way of our dreams. That inner voice that says “It’s too late and you’re too old” is just another version of that. Maybe you still want to be a ballerina, an astronaut, a fireman, an artist. What do you want to be when you grow up? Dust off one of those old desires, take a class, do some research, give it a little attention…and see where it might lead. Even if you find out it isn’t a passion anymore, at least you can clear space for a next adventure.
- Mending friendships and family relationships. Still feeling bad about that old fight with your best friend – how many years has it been since you talked? What about your parents, or that older sibling that was always mean to you? While it is true that you may never see eye-to-eye, or even like each other anymore, if it’s been bothering you, maybe it’s time to see if the fences can be mended. Or let it go for good.
- Health and fitness. Keeping your body strong, flexible, stress free, well-fed and well-hydrated is one of the best things you can do for yourself – and most likely, there is something you’ve been meaning to do. Why not schedule that massage, do a few crunches, try a yoga pose, take a walk, drink an extra glass of water? Revitalize that part of your physical being that you might have neglected.
- Try again! We all fail – over and over. And we beat ourselves up about it. That doesn’t mean it isn’t important or shouldn’t be done. Only this time when you get back up, give yourself a break, laugh about the struggle, and see if you can think of a new way to solve the problem. If it’s been around this long, chances are, it isn’t going away on its own – but a new approach could make all the difference.
Remember, take everything one step at a time. Even if you need a complete overhaul, it isn’t all going to happen today. But it can definitely start today. What will you do?
Go easy on yourself
Some days, nothing goes right. Nothing gets done. You feel angry or lethargic or sad. The very thought of happiness is foreign – an impostor. Everyone hates you. You can barely stand yourself. Life sucks. You can’t make decisions, do your job, or even be nice.
Days like this just happen. Consider them part of the cycle of living. A bit of bad beef perhaps. A day of raging hormones. Some unacknowledged anger or disappointment. New Year’s resolutions that haven’t gone anywhere…yet.
Don’t let it to get to you. Accept this moment in your cycle. Watch a movie, eat some comfort food. Write in your journal. Drink water. Give yourself a little love. And when that brighter moment comes, seize it and try again.
Superfoods for a new you
Food should taste good. We have so many options, so many ideas on what and how to eat for a better, healthier life. With all that information, it can’t be that hard to find something enjoyable AND good for you.
The hard part is allowing the change. Perhaps you like extreme measures and a gag reflex to think you are eating a proper diet. Or maybe, you could ease your way into greater health starting with things you enjoy, experimenting with foods you aren’t sure about.
Lists like this one on Oprah are fabulous – 25 superfoods. Some that will entice you immediately (dark chocolate anyone?) and others that might need a little time. And, recipes! Sure, you might like sardines, but what do you do with them? If you’re looking to improve your diet, you’ve got to start somewhere.
The problem with Oprah’s article is wading through the entire slideshow to get them all. Luckily, one blogger translated it into a list. I would encourage you to browse the images and advice on the slideshow first. Then, when you’re ready to print a copy for the fridge, try the other link.
Auspicious New Year’s moon and manifesting your dreams
AP Photo/Keystone, Alessandro Della Bella
Did you notice the full moon on New Year’s Eve? She seemed so crisp, white and sensual, hiding behind a thin mist of clouds. In some parts of the world, the shadow of the earth crept over her face in a soft caress.
Some astrologer’s think an eclipse and a full moon is a pretty potent sign for the New Year – and new decade. Supposedly, our hopes, dreams and resolutions hold a little more oomph than they do on regular old New Year’s Days. Luckily, the energy of such auspicious beginnings doesn’t fade too quickly, but if you want to take advantage of the moon’s blessing, you’ll want to make those resolutions right away!
If you haven’t already, give yourself a little time today to embody your hopes for the next year. Go big, but with plenty of leeway. Focus on how you want to feel, what you want to do, and the first small steps on how you want to get there. You don’t have to plan everything! Once you get moving on your chosen path, the little details fill themselves in – just keep your eyes on the end and flow with the journey.
Check out this fabulous post by Seth Godin, renowned marketer and best-selling author. It talks about looking back and realizing the opportunities missed by not taking a few risks…and about embracing your dreams in the future – or at least, having fun in the process.
You can’t make up lost time, but you can start again today
Remember the first time you decided to lose those extra pounds? Or resolved to read more books? Or learn a language? Imagine where you would be, today, if you had started 10 years ago when you first thought of it?
Here’s the thing. You can’t make up for lost time. Move past any regrets. Don’t let them prevent you from starting again, right now. Think of where you might be, in 10 years, if you put your passion back into it. Or, where you might be in one small measly year. December 31, 2010. Or even in 1 month. 1 week! How different would you feel, just starting and doing something you really want to do?
This might seem like a bit of a contradiction with yesterday’s article. Why bring up old defeats? Instead of defeats, consider those unaccomplished goals to be inspiration. You can imagine where you would be today, if only you had done it then…so restart today and find out just how good it can be.
Anti procrastination
Isn’t that what we’re looking for?
In my teen years, I loved this heavy metal song by Stormtroopers of Death. The lyric is one word – you guessed it – anti-procratination. Seemed like a good day to bring it out of the closet. Perhaps it will amuse you as well.
This post is longer than the song.
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